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By Malissa Harris, Policy Associate   Follow Malissa on LinkedIn . Introduction: A Childhood Framed by Poverty   Over the years, I’ve looked back at my life and reflected on the poverty I grew up in. As a child, you don’t always recognize that your circumstances are different. You assume everyone shares the same life. It’s only in adulthood that you begin to realize how much you went without—and how much those early experiences shape your outlook as a parent.  For about 14 years, I lived with my mom, dad, and brother in my grandmother’s house. I can still remember the quiet remarks from relatives wondering why we were all crammed under one roof. But to me, it was normal. Later, even when my parents bought a small home outside that town, we still couldn’t live independently. My uncle, his wife, and eventually their child moved in. We were seven people in a three-bedroom house. My mom worked two jobs—and even that wasn’t enough. This was more than 15 years ago, and the truth is, poverty has only deepened for many families since then.    Living the Reality Many Families Still Face Today   The struggle I experienced growing up is far from unique. Today, in Ohio, 1 in 5 children lives in poverty . That statistic is more than just a number—it represents real families with real dreams, doing everything they can just to get by. Many parents are working multiple jobs, navigating long waitlists for child care, and still falling short. They are not lazy or irresponsible—they are exhausted and unsupported by systems that should be helping, not holding them back.  Why Economic Stability Matters  Economic stability is one of the most powerful predictors of a child's long-term well-being. When families have consistent income and access to supports like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), they’re better positioned to meet their children’s basic needs—like food, housing, and child care. These aren’t luxuries; they’re the foundation of healthy development.  Research  shows that even modest increases in household income significantly improve children’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral outcomes. One landmark study found that income boosts in early childhood were linked to better academic performance, higher earnings in adulthood, and improved mental health later in life   The Policy  Path Forward: Support That Works   If we want to change outcomes for Ohio’s children and families, we must invest in what works. That’s why we need to:  Restore the Governor’s executive budget proposal  to increase Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) initial eligibility to 160% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) .  Pass a refundable Ohio Child Tax Credit  of $1,000 per child under age 6  to provide direct support to families during critical early development years.  Conclusion: From Surviving to Thriving  I spent much of my life trying to outrun the shadow of multi-generational poverty. I now know that the best way to prevent others from going through the same is not by telling families to work harder—but by giving them the tools, resources, and support to build something better. Programs like PFCC and SNAP aren’t handouts—they’re hand-ups. They allow parents to focus on their children, not just on survival. And when families thrive, communities do too.   Call to Action: Let’s Build a Stronger Future—Together   Now is the time for Ohio to prioritize our families. We urge policymakers to restore and expand investments in Publicly Funded Child Care and to pass the refundable Ohio Child Tax Credit. These policies are not just budget line items—they’re lifelines for working parents and the building blocks of a healthier, more equitable future for our children.  Contact your legislators  and tell them you support increasing PFCC eligibility to 160% FPL and passing a refundable $1,000 Child Tax Credit for children under 6.   Share your story.  Personal experiences are powerful tools for change. Talk about how economic instability or access to benefits like SNAP and child care have impacted your family.  Join the movement.  Get involved with advocacy organizations like Groundwork Ohio’s Family Action Network to help amplify family voices in policy conversations.

By Brittany Boulton, Vice President Follow Brittany on LinkedIn . Note: the following testimony about Amended Substitute House Bill 96 was written and delivered by Brittany Boulton before the Ohio Senate Finance Committee on May 27, 2025.   Chair Cirino, Vice Chair Chavez, Ranking Member Hicks-Hudson, and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to speak today. I’m Brittany Boulton and I am the Vice President of Groundwork Ohio. We are the state’s leading early learning and maternal and young child health advocates, focused on the healthy development of children from prenatal to age five, and their families. We work with policymakers, business and community leaders, early childhood professionals, and families to advance policies that support the healthy development of young children to build a more prosperous future for Ohio.   Ohio Families and the State’s Future Amended Substitute House Bill 96 as first proposed by Governor DeWine included a strong budget to support Ohio’s youngest learners. Groundwork Ohio strongly urges the Ohio Senate to consider restoring a number of these provisions that would: Make work pay for working families Improve health outcomes for moms and babies Support quality early learning experiences   1. Make Work Pay for Working Families Child care is a top concern for families and employers across Ohio. Just last month, the Ohio Chamber’s Untapped Potential in Ohio report highlighted that the state loses $5.48 billion in economic activity and $1.52 billion is lost in tax revenue each year as a result of child care issues. Recent polling further reveals that access to affordable quality child care would prompt more than 6-in-10 non-working Ohio moms with children under age 6 to return to work. This underscores just how urgent and costly the issue has become. The average cost for full-day infant care in 2024 in Ohio was $13,780.   1 in 5 Ohio children ages 0-5 live in poverty (under 100% FPL) and 1 in 10 live in extreme poverty (at or below 50% FPL). More than one third (34%) of parents with children under five report serious problems paying rent or their mortgage, and nearly half (47%) are struggling to pay their credit card bills. Inflation is forcing 82% of parents with young children to cut back on groceries, impacting their ability to provide healthy, nutritious meals for their kids.   Ohio voters overwhelmingly support a Child Tax Credit. According to a December 2024 poll conducted by Public Opinion Solutions across over 800 Ohio voters, 84% support creating a Child Tax Credit. Results included 83% of Republicans, 78% of Independents, and 94% of Democrats supporting the policy. The current budget proposal does not expand eligibility to child care beyond 145% FPL, keeping Ohio at the bottom of eligibility across the country. The bill also currently restricts the Child Care Choice Voucher Program to $100 million per year, representing a cut of $25 million over the biennium from the Governor’s proposal. Groundwork Ohio respectfully requests the Ohio Senate restore the following provisions in Amended Substitute HB 96: REQUEST: Restore publicly funded child care eligibility to 160% of the Federal Poverty Level. REQUEST: Restore the Child Care Choice Voucher program to $75M in FY26 and $150M in FY27. REQUEST: Restore the refundable Child Tax Credit of up to $1,000 per child under age 7.   2. Improve Health Outcomes for Moms and Babies Ohio continues to rank among the bottom 10 states for infant mortality and 11% of Ohio infants are born preterm. Maternal mortality increased by 17% between 2011 and 2021 even though research suggests more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. The severe maternal morbidity rate is 84.9 per 10,000 delivery hospitalizations.   Department of Children and Youth Director Kara Wente shared earlier this month in Senate Health Committee that infant mortality numbers are trending in the right direction; 2024 data shows 6.6 per 1,000 live births, the lowest in two decades. That means 70 more babies made it to their first birthdays than the year before — enough to fill four kindergarten classrooms.   Investments in critically-needed, evidence-based maternal and infant health programming are clearly working. Now is not the time to make cuts when we are finally seeing more Ohio babies reach their first birthdays.   Families who participate in home visiting programs as funded through the Help Me Grow line item are 60% less likely to experience an infant death. Under the recently-launched Family Connects program, being piloted in 11 counties but scalable to all 88 counties under As Introduced funding levels, families are experiencing a 50% reduction in emergency room visits during a new baby’s first year of life. In addition to home visiting programming, community-led infant vitality programs that center the voices of moms and birth workers at a local level are seeing return on investment, as is evidenced in Hamilton County. Cradle Cincinnati has seen a reduction of local infant mortality levels by 30% in 20 months, and yet funding for the line item supporting the scaling of such programs was reduced in the Ohio House version of Amended Substitute HB 96. This line item also includes support for fathers and faith-based programming. REQUEST: Restore the As Introduced funding levels for Help Me Grow and Infant Vitality line items. REQUEST: Remove the House provision repealing existing law directing Ohio Department of Medicaid to provide continuous eligibility for children from birth to age 3. REQUEST: Remove the Ohio House amendment to Amended Substitute HB 96 that would restrict doula Medicaid reimbursement to six counties.   3. Support Quality Early Learning Experiences Only 35.4% of Ohio kindergartners are entering the classroom ready to learn. The Ohio House eliminated the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) in their version of Amended Substitute HB 96. Nearly 4 out of 5 low-income children are not demonstrating kindergarten readiness, an early predictive measure of their later performance in literacy and math proficiency, high school graduation and post-secondary attainment. 44% of Ohio’s kindergartners are not on track for literacy.   The KRA is the only measure Ohio has available to understand the impact of experiences children are having in the first five years of life and where they begin their academic journey. Removing this measure will realize minimal cost savings, and damage our state’s ability to measure the return on meaningful early childhood investments detailed above. REQUEST: Restore the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment eliminated in the House version of Amended Substitute HB 96.   Conclusion Groundwork Ohio partners with a vast network of caregivers, advocates, health and early childhood professionals, and families around the state whose day-to-day work impacts the life of children from birth to age five. We have traveled to urban and rural communities alike to conduct deep listening sessions and learn about the concerns of those who are closest to this work. Our requests as detailed in this document are a direct result of that engagement, as well as of our team’s analysis of existing data on state program outcomes and analysis of the national policy landscape for young children.   Thank you for your attention to these issues. We understand that you are making tough decisions, and we look forward to further conversations with you. I would be happy to answer any questions.   Groundwork Ohio Amendment Request Summary SC0460 : Restore As Introduced language expanding Publicly Funded Child Care Eligibility to 160% FPL for initial eligibility SC0459 : Restore additional $25M in FY 27 from As Introduced in Child Care Choice SC0458 : Restore As Introduced investments in Help Me Grow and Infant Vitality SC0572 : Restore As introduced version of child tax credit SC0459 : Restore additional $25M in FY 27 from As Introduced in Child Care Choice SC0456 : Restore the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment, removed in the House SC0457 : Remove the House’s repeal of existing law that would require Ohio Department of Medicaid to seek approval for continuous coverage of Medicaid enrollment for Medicaid-eligible children birth through age three SC0461 : Remove restriction of Medicaid reimbursement for doulas to only 6 counties   Attachments Groundwork Ohio Child Care Sign-on Letter   Groundwork Ohio Poll Data (December 2024)   Untapped Potential   Groundwork Ohio 2025 Early Childhood Data Dashboard   USA Today: Ohio has a chance to make child care affordable for working families

By Lynanne Gutierrez, President & CEO Follow Lynanne on LinkedIn . Note: the following testimony about Amended Substitute House Bill 96 was written and delivered by Lynanne Gutierrez before the Ohio Senate Finance Committee on June 5, 2025.   Chair Cirino, Vice Chair Chavez, Ranking Member Hicks-Hudson, and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to speak today. I’m Lynanne Gutierrez and I am the President & CEO of Groundwork Ohio. We are the state’s leading early learning and maternal and young child health advocates, focused on the healthy development of children from prenatal to age five, and their families.   Working families in Ohio are doing everything they can to stay afloat, stay strong, and hold things together. They are counting on Governor DeWine’s bold, transformative proposal that invests in early learning and child care, maternal and infant health, and a new state Child Tax Credit to support young children and working families.   The Senate’s proposal does not include a Child Tax Credit, fails to make critical investments in early childhood programs and essential health services, and disinvests in child care and the health care of Ohio’s youngest children. As you consider your priorities in this bill, we respectfully urge you to restore the following cuts to the Governor’s proposal and existing spending levels: Child Care: RESTORE publicly funded child care eligibility to 160% of FPL and RESTORE the Child Care Choice Voucher program to $75M in FY26 and $150M in FY27. Economic Stability: RESTORE the proposed refundable Child Tax Credit of up to $1,000 per child under age 7. Home Visiting: RESTORE $26 million in proposed new investment in this evidence-based programming . Infant Vitality: RESTORE $4 million in community and local faith-based programs. Medicaid Access Babies: RESTORE existing law requiring multi-year continuous Medicaid enrollment for babies ages 0-3 championed by House leaders last budget cycle. Lead Poisoning : RESTORE funding for the Lead Safe Home and Lead Abatement programs within the Ohio Department of Health and RESTORE the Lead Abatement Tax Credit. Early Learning & Literacy: RESTORE $16 million in increased funding for Part-C Early Intervention and RESTORE $4 million in increased funding for the Governor’s Imagination Library. Investing in young children and working families is one of the smartest decisions Ohio can make. Thank you for your consideration. I would be happy to answer any questions. Senate Proposal Cuts $1.3 Billion from Governor DeWine's Budget

June 5, 2025 – Columbus, OH — In testimony today before the Ohio Senate Finance Committee, Groundwork Ohio President & CEO Lynanne Gutierrez urged lawmakers to restore $1.3 billion in proposed investments for Ohio’s youngest children and working families that were removed from Governor Mike DeWine’s budget proposal.   “ Ohio families are doing everything right ,” Gutierrez told lawmakers. “They’re working hard, raising kids, and keeping our economy moving. They deserve a budget that recognizes their contribution and meets them with the support they need .”   The Senate’s current proposal omits Governor DeWine’s new refundable Child Tax Credit, underfunds the expansion of child care through his proposed Child Care Choice voucher program, and scales back or eliminates important investments in maternal and infant health. These changes come at a time when families across the state are navigating rising costs and limited access to essential services. “ These aren’t just policy differences—they’re a test of priorities. These decisions affect real families and young children at the most critical stage of development ,” Gutierrez said. “ We can either invest in the families who make Ohio strong, or we can continue asking them to do more with less .”   Groundwork Ohio is urging the General Assembly to realign the budget with the Governor’s pro-family vision—and reject cuts that undermine the very people keeping Ohio’s economy moving.   “ While working parents are scraping to cover child care, this budget prioritizes costly private projects that offer little relief to the families raising Ohio’s future ,” said Gutierrez. “ That’s not a family-first budget. That’s a missed opportunity .”   “ Ohio’s working families aren’t asking for special treatment. They’re asking for the basics—child care they can afford, health care for their babies, and a fair shot to build a future ,” Gutierrez said. “ If the budget doesn’t work for kids and families, it doesn’t work for Ohio .”   # # #   About Groundwork Ohio Groundwork Ohio is a nonpartisan public-policy research and advocacy organization that champions high-quality early learning and healthy development strategies from the prenatal period to age 5, that lay a strong foundation for Ohio kids, families, and communities. We advance quality early childhood systems in Ohio by engaging, educating, and mobilizing diverse stakeholders and strategic partners to promote data driven and evidence-based early childhood policies.

June 17, 2025 – Columbus, OH — On Tuesday, parents, faith leaders, early educators, and advocates from across Ohio gathered at the Statehouse with a clear message: working families need real relief—and they need it now. At the Working Families Rally  on the West Lawn, hundreds of voices called on lawmakers to include meaningful support for families in the final state budget, including tax relief and access to affordable child care. Speakers emphasized that rising costs for basic needs like food, child care, and diapers are pushing families to the breaking point—and bold action is overdue.   “Parents are doing everything right—but the math isn’t adding up. Child care, food, rent—it’s too much. This budget needs to meet the moment by delivering real, targeted relief to the families working hardest to raise young children in Ohio,” said Lynanne Gutierrez , President & CEO of Groundwork Ohio.   “Families are doing everything they can and they're still struggling to afford groceries, housing, health care and child care each month,” said Will Petrik , Director of Policy & Advocacy at RISE Together Innovation Institute. “Meanwhile, state GOP lawmakers want to give tax breaks to billionaires and pull back support for resources we all need, like education, food, healthcare, and child care. It's time for lawmakers to deliver relief to the people and families who actually need it."   “ Families across Ohio are spending more on child care than they do on college tuition or rent. It’s more than $17,000 a year for infant care alone. That’s not just unaffordable; it’s impossible for too many,” said Tasha Booker , CEO of Action for Children. “When families can’t find or afford care, they can’t work. Period. That means lost income, lost opportunities, and a hit to our entire economy to the tune of over $5 billion a year in Ohio alone. There is a lot at stake for everyone.”   “Too many families are forced to make impossible choices…between child care and rent, between child care and groceries, or between child care and keeping the lights on,” said Julia Contizano , Preschool Director at Gladden Community House. “Investing in child care is not just a family issue – it’s an economic issue, an equity issue, and it’s time that Ohio’s policies support and reflect working families.”   “Motherhood…does not come with a manual or any guarantees. And for a lot of us, it does not come with financial stability,” said Briayana Odeneal , a parent and child care advocate. “…even as two hardworking parents doing our very best, we were faced with having to choose between paying the car note or buying groceries. Not because of a lack effort, but because the cost of living doesn’t always match the reality of raising a child.”   “Ohio families are more than a single budget line item. Ohio families are more than one public assistance program. Ohio families are more than the jobs we work or the schools we attend,” said Deacon Nick Bates , Director of the Hunger Network in Ohio. “We need a budget that strengthens our communities in their entirety to make Ohio truly the best place to raise a family.”   Advocates urged the General Assembly’s Conference Committee to include two critical solutions in the final state budget:   TAX RELIEF for families who need it most – Reinstate a refundable state Child Tax Credit of up to $1,000 per child under age 7. AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE​ to help more families – Restore investments in child care access by expanding the eligibility level of publicly funded child care to 160% of the federal poverty level and fully funding the Child Care Choice Voucher program.   # # #   About Groundwork Ohio Groundwork Ohio is a nonpartisan public-policy research and advocacy organization that champions high-quality early learning and healthy development strategies from the prenatal period to age 5, that lay a strong foundation for Ohio kids, families, and communities. We advance quality early childhood systems in Ohio by engaging, educating, and mobilizing diverse stakeholders and strategic partners to promote data driven and evidence-based early childhood policies.

Summary of H.B. 96, State Operating Budget FY26-7 July 1, 2025 The final budget reflects both meaningful wins and hard-fought protections—as well as missed opportunities that underscore the need for continued, strategic advocacy. Thanks to strong partnerships, credible data, and persistent public pressure, we were able to help secure: More than $89 million in new state investments in early childhood health, development, and family supports; Preservation of $100 million in federal child care funding that had been on the chopping block earlier this year; A critical line-item veto by Governor DeWine to protect Medicaid continuous coverage for babies under age 4. And while federal guidance released just weeks after the budget bill was signed undermines the ability of our state to follow-through on this commitment, Ohio's executive used his power to prioritize babies in the budget process at a time of incredible upheaval of the Medicaid program. These victories were not inevitable. They came as a result of sustained advocacy, trusted relationships, and the strength of our statewide coalition. Your support helped fuel these efforts. Still, significant gaps remain: policymakers failed to expand child care access, establish a refundable child tax credit, or fully meet the needs of mothers and infants. With looming federal funding cliffs and new threats to Medicaid on the horizon, the systems we’ve fought to strengthen remain vulnerable. Groundwork is actively monitoring implementation and preparing for what’s next. Later this summer, we’ll share a “Budget Impact Report” that outlines our advocacy outcomes and lays the groundwork for how we move forward—together. Thank you for believing in our mission and for standing with Ohio’s youngest children. Your partnership is not only appreciated—it’s essential. The final state budget reflects both progress and setbacks for Ohio’s youngest children and their families. While several new investments help preserve core supports for early learning and maternal and child health, the budget ultimately falls short — failing to meet the urgency of the moment and missing critical opportunities to provide relief for families. These shortcomings risk undermining the very systems young children depend on. Below is a summary of the gains, losses, and the overall impact of this budget on Ohio’s youngest citizens. Progress for Ohio’s Young Children Despite setbacks, the budget includes some positive, new state investments over the biennium: Allocates $200 million of federal funds to the Child Care Choice Voucher program allowing the state to serve 20,000 more children, or 12,500 more working families. Changes Publicly Funded Child Care payments from being paid on an attendance-based payment structure to an enrollment-based payment structure, that will improve payment stability for providers. Invests $10 million for the Child Care Cred pilot, a cost-sharing model among employers, employees, and the state. Invests $2.85 million to the Child Care Provider Recruitment program to increase child care in underserved areas in the state. Invests $6,203,050 in increased funding to expand early literacy access through curricula and activities aligned with the science of reading. Increases funding for Dolly Parton Imagination Library by $500,000 over the biennium. Increases Early Intervention funding by $15,196,000, improving evaluation and service coordination. Invests $3.8 million in infant vitality efforts which will now total $36 million over the biennium. This includes a new $5 million allocation for community and faith-based infant vitality programming, enabling some state funds to support and expand locally driven solutions to combat infant mortality (ex. Cradle Cincinnati model). Increases funding for Help Me Grow, evidence-based home visiting by $21.5 million which will support 12,000 more children. Increases investment for Ohio’s Fatherhood Commission by $20 million, enabling expansion of programs and services to support more communities across Ohio. Increases $20M to implement Child Wellness Campuses that provide short-term. treatment and support for children in crisis who are awaiting foster care placement. Protects current law requiring Medicaid to reduce the administrative for parents of children under four to stay enrolled in Medicaid through a federal waiver secured during the last state budget. (HB 33, 135th Ohio General Assembly). Earmarks up to $1 million over the biennium to support stable housing for pregnant mothers and improve maternal and infant health outcomes. Invests $5 million in pediatric cancer research. Setbacks for Ohio’s Youngest Children Despite areas of progress, the budget falls short in critical ways: Fails to enact a refundable Child Tax Credit, denying working families with children under 7 who need it the most a refundable credit up to $1,000 per child under age 7. Fails to expand publicly funded child care eligibility to 160% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) which would serve 11,000 additional children. Eligibility remains at 145% FPL (150% FPL for children with special needs), the lowest in the nation. Fails to appropriate an additional $200 million in federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds for child care, allocating less in TANF than previous years. Misses the opportunity to invest an additional $25 million in the Child Care Choice Voucher program reducing access for families who don’t qualify for Publicly Funded Child Care.  Eliminates $16.5 million for lead poisoning prevention, threatening child health and safety. Undermines statewide expansion of Family Connects home visiting model by not investing an addition $26 million over the biennium. Misses the opportunity to invest and addition $3.5 million in Dolly Parton Imagination Library, putting less books in the hands of young children. Misses the opportunity to invest $6 million to support children’s dental health. The Bottom Line +$106,049,050 new state investment in young children and families. -$16,500,000 cut from existing state investment in young children and families. = +$89,549,050 Groundwork Ohio celebrates an additional $89.5 million invested in young children and families. The budget delivered some hard-fought protections in a challenging fiscal and political environment—but it does not go far enough to meet the current and growing needs of Ohio’s youngest children. Additionally, Groundwork is still working to unravel some provisions impacting child care that were added very late in the budget process as we look towards the implementation of new investments and limitations included in the final budget.   Groundwork Ohio is hopeful that the final budget keeps Ohio moving with intention toward the goals set in our shared policy agenda and proposed by Governor DeWine to improve outcomes for young children and families. We appreciate the Governor’s continued advocacy, the leadership of legislative champions who prioritized protecting core early childhood investments, and, most especially, the families who bravely shared their stories to keep kids at the center of this debate.   The path forward is uncertain. Without new action, Ohio will face a $600 million shortfall in child care funding next biennium as one-time federal dollars dry up. At the same time, looming federal proposals to slash Medicaid threaten hard-won protection for moms and babies. We have serious work ahead to defend progress and push forward.

My name is  Deanna Szente , and I’m the proud mom of three amazing, wild, and loving kids. We live in Avon Lake, Ohio—just 20 minutes west of Cleveland—where our family life is beautifully chaotic and full of love. Whether we’re navigating busy days or embracing small joys, everything we do is grounded in connection, laughter, and support.   My "Why" My journey into advocacy began with my children and the challenges I’ve faced as a parent. I’ve walked through the struggles many families know all too well—juggling caregiving, work, and fighting to access the resources our children deserve. I didn’t just want to be a voice for my own kids—I wanted to speak up for every parent who shares the same dreams and concerns for their families. Finding Community Through Groundwork Ohio I first connected with  Groundwork Ohio  after attending a DCY (Department of Children and Youth) listening event in Cleveland. That’s what led me to Groundwork Ohio where I connected with  Malissa Harris , who invited me to share my story with legislators about critical issues like the child tax credit and affordable child care. That moment was just the beginning of my journey with the  Family Action Network —a network that has since become a space of support, power, and purpose.   What I Fight For As a parent and advocate, the issues that matter most to me include: Expanding access to  early learning programs  like Head Start and early intervention, Securing  affordable, quality child care , Supporting  maternal health  and mental well-being, Ensuring access to  Medicaid  and healthcare services for children and families. These aren’t just policies—they’re lifelines for working families, especially those navigating poverty or systemic inequities.   From Local Impact to National Change One of my earliest advocacy experiences was becoming a board member for  Lorain with Littles , a local organization offering free monthly play dates where families come together to connect, play, and access early childhood resources. Through this, we’ve created safe and welcoming spaces for families across Lorain County and beyond. A standout moment in my advocacy journey came in 2025, when my 2-year-old son  Ryin  and I were selected to represent Ohio at  Strolling Thunder , hosted by  Zero to Three  in Washington, D.C. There, I had the honor of speaking directly with senators and representatives about the challenges families like mine face—and what we need to thrive. That experience showed me the power of storytelling in influencing change.   Why Advocacy Matters Being part of the Family Action Network has changed my life. Advocacy isn’t easy—but it’s everything to me. My children are my why, and I will never stop fighting for a better world for them and for every child. As the saying goes:  “It is easier to build strong children than it is to repair broken adults.”   Through this work, I’ve learned that an advocate’s job is never truly done. And that’s okay—because change takes time, persistence, and people who care enough to keep showing up.   A Message to Parents Who Want to Get Involved If you’re a parent or caregiver who wants to speak up but doesn’t know where to start—start by identifying what you’re passionate about. Reach out to organizations in your community. Ask questions. Get connected. I promise you—your voice matters. And there are people out there who will support and walk alongside you.   What Policymakers Need to Hear To the leaders shaping policy: please know that  access to affordable healthcare, quality child care, and early childhood education is not a luxury—it’s a necessity . Working parents deserve better—from paid family leave to realistic, family-centered workplace policies. If we want strong communities, we must start by supporting strong families.   Looking Ahead My hope for the future of Ohio’s children and families is simple but bold: that  every child has what they need to thrive , and that  no family is left behind . That means: Affordable, high-quality child care Access to physical and mental healthcare Quality education for all children, regardless of zip code   Why Lived Experience Matters When it comes to policy,  lived experience is everything . It brings authenticity and urgency to the conversation. These are the voices of the families we’re building systems and legislation for—so they must be at the center of every decision.   Every Child Deserves to Thrive To me, helping every child reach their full potential means giving them a real chance—no matter their background, challenges, or circumstances. It means building a world where every child feels  seen, supported, and safe . Where they are empowered to dream, grow, and become the best version of themselves.   Because when children thrive, communities thrive. And when families are supported, we all rise together.

In July, Groundwork Ohio released the Ohio Early Childhood Race and Rural Equity Report —an in-depth compilation of metrics that show how race, geography, and family impact affect kids’ access to early education programs and their long-term education, social, and health outcomes. When faced with the extensive data in the report, we are forced to confront the stark reality that children of color and those living start kindergarten already behind their peers, and typically stay behind. Recognizing this reality allows us to engage in meaningful conversations throughout the state about how we can begin to address these inequities on the state level, in local communities, and in individual programs. A recent case study published by AASA, the School Superintendents Association, shows one small way that an early childhood program in Ann Arbor, MI is taking steps to ensure all kids have the opportunity to succeed: According to Ann Arbor staff, the biggest surprise came with the equity work. When the goal was set to expand Young Fives options, one of the goals this district was hoping for was closing the achievement gap. What district leadership wanted to see was that under-resourced students, students in poverty, and students of color were essentially getting a “leg up” and that families who were not able to access the same resources than parents of wealth could gain access those resources. That was one intended outcome they hoped to achieve. What resulted was in the first and second years of the expansion of Young Fives, families that were taking advantage of enrolling in Young Fives were NOT the district’s families of color and that caused the district to pause and look at: - How the district was marketing the programs to attract targeted students; - How district staff was talking to families about this programs; - How focus groups with the families were responding to the availability of the programs. Staff found it fascinating to talk to families of color to find out why they chose not to enroll their child. Through this outreach, staff learned that using terminology like “give your child the gift of time” and using terms like “readiness” made some families feel their children being labeled. They tended to see those things as being remedial. As a result, the district has altered some of the materials distributed and personal contacts with families to address this issue. Read the full case study here. Achieving equity for Ohio kids requires all of us to begin to take responsibility for the things we can change by challenging our assumptions, investigating the evidence and recognizing what we don’t yet know. We look forward to further conversations throughout the state that help us challenge our own assumptions and make real progress toward achieving equity for all Ohio kids. Learn more about the Ohio Early Childhood Race & Rural Equity Report . Early Childhood Education is NO SMALL MATTER No Small Matter is a feature-length documentary film and national engagement campaign that brings public attention to this vital question by sharing powerful stories and stunning truths about the human capacity for early intelligence and the potential for quality early care and education to benefit America’s social and economic future. This multifaceted project reveals how our country is raising its youngest citizens, why making the most of this time in their lives is so crucial, and most importantly, what we can do to change the perception of when learning begins. The next Ohio screening will take place in Dayton, Ohio on October 18th , followed by screenings in Cincinnati, Cleveland, and more! Keep an eye out for more details to come. Want to screen No Small Matter at a theater near you? Sign up to bring the film to your community! Addressing Childhood Hunger in Ohio No child can learn and grow on an empty stomach. But, more than half a million children in Ohio – 1 out of every 5 – live in "food-insecure" households. Poor nutrition at an early age is linked to lasting health problems, learning challenges, delayed cognitive development, and an increased risk of obesity. On Wednesday, the Columbus Metropolitan Club welcomed Judy Mobley, President & CEO of Children’s Hunger Alliance, Joy Bivens, Director of Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services,Devray Kirkland, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Cardinal Health, Dr. Eric Karolak, Chief Executive Officer of Action for Children, and host Shannon Jones, Executive Director of Groundwork Ohio, to discuss the pressing need for food security, especially for our youngest learners, and what is being done to address this issue. Check out the Children's Hunger Alliance impact report to learn more: The State of Childhood Hunger: Creating a Full Future for Ohio’s Children Early Education Takes on New Prominence in Races for Governor Governor Must Invest in Children Study: Too Many Structured Activities May Hinder Children's Executive Functioning California Hopes to Fight Preschool Expulsions with Mental Health Services A Really Good Thing Happening in America

Report: Nearly Half a Million Families Impacted by Child Care Crisis Throughout the pandemic, many parents have struggled to stay in the workforce because they cannot find quality, affordable child care for their young children. As Groundwork Ohio's recent statewide poll reveals, solving the child care crisis is key to getting Ohioans back to work. A new report from Wells Fargo shows that the child care crisis has far-reaching impacts on families, businesses, and the economy. According to the report, nearly half a million families nationwide have been impacted by child care worker shortages fueled by the pandemic, making hiring more difficult for all industries right now. Importantly, the Wells Fargo report demonstrates how essential access to quality child care is for women in the workforce. As the report summarizes: "No industry is as central to working women as child care. The industry packs an outsized punch when it comes to lifting the economy’s labor supply." Learn More >> Get to Know Groundwork: Lysette Arnold, Policy Assistant Last week, as part of our ongoing "Get to Know Groundwork" series, we introduced you to Lynanne Gutierrez , Groundwork Ohio's Chief Operating & Policy Officer. This week, we're introducing you to Lysette Arnold, Groundwork's Policy Assistant and the newest member of our team! Read our Q&A with Lysette to learn more about why she's a passionate early childhood advocate and what her vision of the future is for Ohio's youngest children and their families! Get to Know Lysette >> Social Media Toolkit: Black Maternal Health Week 2022 The Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) is excited to be celebrating the 5th anniversary of Black Maternal Health Week from April 11-17, 2022! Founded by BMMA, Black Maternal Health Week is a week of awareness, activism, and community-building aimed at amplifying the voices of Black Mamas, bringing visibility to Black-led maternal health initiatives, advancing health equity, and centering the values and traditions of the reproductive and birth justice movements. BMMA has created a social media toolkit as a resource to assist partners and advocates with amplifying #BMHW22 across your networks and channels. In this toolkit, you'll find key messaging, resources, and shareable graphics for promotion across your digital and social media channels. You can download the toolkit by clicking the link below! Download the Toolkit >> America’s childcare crisis has real consequences for employers This is how we fix the broken child care system A historic child care investment saved centers from collapse. What happens when the money runs out? Child care costs keeping many women from returning to work Maternity wards are shuttering across the US during the pandemic Want to increase your impact?  Share this message with family, friends, and colleagues now!

On September 27th, the Vote for Ohio Kids Leadership Forum brought together hundreds of business, healthcare, education, and child advocacy leaders to discuss the issues that matter the most to Ohio's future. Throughout the day, we heard the strong case for investing in our kids during the earliest years of life, as well as both gubernatorial candidates’ plans for making Ohio’s children a priority if elected. Over the past several months, we have worked closely with both candidates to educate them on the many issues facing Ohio kids. Both Mr. Cordray and Attorney General DeWine joined us at the Leadership Forum to discuss the needs of Ohio’s most vulnerable children—making Ohio the only state with both gubernatorial candidates talking about the importance of investing in young children. We know that campaign talking points are not enough to improve education and health outcomes for kids. Ohio needs our next governor to make strategic investments in early learning and development to increase the life-long success of Ohio kids and build a strong foundation for economic prosperity in our state. We look forward to working with you to make sure our next governor does just that! If you weren't able to join us at the Vote for Ohio Kids Leadership Forum, be sure to check out our photos and videos from the event . Vote Registration Deadline: October 9, 2018 Are you registered to vote on November 6th? Ohio voters must register/update their registration by this Tuesday, October 9th. Click to learn more about registering or updating your registration ! And don't forget to share your post-vote selfie with #Vote4OhioKids! Early Childhood Education is NO SMALL MATTER No Small Matter is a feature-length documentary film and national engagement campaign that brings public attention to this vital question by sharing powerful stories and stunning truths about the human capacity for early intelligence and the potential for quality early care and education to benefit America’s social and economic future. This multifaceted project reveals how our country is raising its youngest citizens, why making the most of this time in their lives is so crucial, and most importantly, what we can do to change the perception of when learning begins. The next Ohio screening will take place in Dayton, Ohio on October 18th , followed by screenings in Cincinnati, Cleveland, and more! Keep an eye out for more details to come. Want to screen No Small Matter at a theater near you? Sign up to bring the film to your community! Governor race: DeWine, Cordray lay out plans for kids, health care​ PNC regional presidents: Make Ohio stronger through high-quality preschool​ A breakthrough federal initiative in early care and education​ New Poll Finds Broad, Bipartisan Support in Ohio for Boosting Investment in Quality, Affordable Child Care The American Dream Is Harder To Find In Some Neighborhoods

By: Lysette Arnold, Policy Assistant at Groundwork Ohio During my first few weeks at Groundwork Ohio, I have been excited to learn and become a part of the thoughtful planning and development of our Family Action Network . Building this Network, as are all new things, has been an experiment in many ways. If we build it, will they come? The Groundwork team is thrilled that the answer has been a resounding “yes!” from Ohio families. We have successfully connected with families from across the state to begin authentically engaging their voices in the policymaking process. As recruitment for the inaugural members of the Family Action Network closes, we are welcoming families to the Network and sharing exciting next steps including training and the much-anticipated May 18th, 2022 launch at the Ohio Statehouse. Work begins now to build trusted relationships with these families—our Family Ambassadors—and build their leadership capacity to share their stories with policymakers in May. We can’t wait to learn and share more about these incredible families and their stories. While more formal virtual engagement with the Network begins soon, we recently asked our Family Ambassadors: “What is the first word that comes to mind when you think of your family?” The most common words that came to mind for parents and caregivers were “love,” “blessed,” and “resilient.” The overwhelming love and strength of Ohio families is certainly the foundation of their stories—something we are thrilled to showcase at the Family Action Network launch event this spring. Parents and caregivers will have the first of many opportunities on May 18th to use this strength and love as fuel to share the hopes and dreams they hold for their children's future alongside the challenges they face day-to-day. The words “crazy,” “energetic,” and “fun” were also popular answers—we can’t wait for the voices and energy of these caregivers and their youngest children to fill the Ohio Statehouse Atrium! To learn more about Groundwork Ohio’s Family Action Network, click here .

Groundwork Ohio Launches Early Childhood Dashboard Preview This week, Groundwork Ohio released its Early Childhood Dashboard Preview , which outlines Ohio’s performance on 20 key early childhood metrics. The Early Childhood Dashboard Preview is a precursor to a first-of-its-kind, more comprehensive Early Childhood Dashboard that will be released in 2023. Ultimately, the Early ChildhoodDashboard will be a tool to track Ohio’s performance on key early childhood metrics and illuminate areas where the state needs increased investment, focused attention, and urgent action. Over the next year, Groundwork Ohio will gather feedback on the Dashboard Preview to inform development of the 2023 Dashboard . As part of this process, Groundwork will consult with and solicit feedback from early childhood experts, families, community organizations, providers, and other early childhood stakeholders at the local, state, and national levels. We want to hear from you! Groundwork Ohio invites you to check out our Early Childhood Dashboard Preview and share your feedback . View the Dashboard Preview >> Ohio Leaders Deliver Powerful Testimony on Quality Child Care On Wednesday, the Ohio Legislative Study Committee on Ohio’s Publicly Funded Child Care and Step Up To Quality Program heard testimony on the essential role quality child care plays in supporting children, families, and communities. During the hearing, early childhood professionals, experts, and community leaders made a powerful case for why policymakers must double down on the state’s commitment to provide quality early learning opportunities to Ohio children, regardless of their race, family’s income, ZIP code, or disability. Check out our recap featuring excerpts from the testimonies shared before the study committee! Read the Testimonies >> New Job Opportunity: Director, Center for Family Voice at Groundwork Ohio Groundwork Ohio is seeking applicants to join our growing team as the Director of the Center for Family Voice! The Center for Family Voice at Groundwork Ohio is dedicated to authentically engaging Ohio parents and families with young children in the policies and practices that impact the healthy development of their children. The Director of the Center for Family Voice will oversee Center activities and drive the Center’s work to elevate the voices of families with young children in early childhood policy and advocacy to achieve programmatic, policy, and practice changes at local, regional, and state levels. Prospective applicants ready to collaborate with an awesome and highly effective team of professionals are encouraged to apply by Monday, April 4, 2022. Check out the job description for more information on this exciting new role and how to apply! View the Job Description >> ICYMI: Governor DeWine Announces $650 Million for Child Care Providers Last week, during a visit to the Columbus Early Learning Center, Governor Mike DeWine announced an additional $650 million in grants to help child care programs defray unexpected business costs associated with the pandemic and to help stabilize child care program operations. Importantly, this is in addition to the $150 million in child care grants announced in December. Governor DeWine's announcement was made on the one year anniversary of President Joe Biden signing the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into law. Through funding received in ARPA, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has established several child care stabilization sub-grant opportunities to help child care programs recover from the pandemic. Learn More >> Get to Know Groundwork: Amy Meade, Policy & Operations Manager Last week, as part of our ongoing "Get to Know Groundwork" series, we introduced you to L ysette Arnold , Groundwork Ohio's Policy Assistant. This week, we're introducing you to Amy Meade, Groundwork's Policy & Operations Manager! Amy joined Groundwork Ohio this week, and we're thrilled to welcome her to the team. Read our Q&A with Amy to learn more about why she's a passionate early childhood advocate and what her vision of the future is for Ohio's youngest children and their families! Get to Know Amy >> Love, Blessed, and Resilient: Ohioans Tell Us About Their Families What's the first word that comes to mind when you think of your family? Groundwork Ohio recently asked this question to members of our inaugural Family Action Network to learn more about their families and their stories. The most common words that came to mind for parents and caregivers of young children? Love. Blessed. Resilient. Fun. Energetic. Crazy. This week, Groundwork's Policy Assistant Lysette Arnold wrote a blog sharing what we're hearing from families in our Family Action Network. In her blog, Lysette also previews the exciting programming we have planned for members of the Family Action Network, including our launch event on May 18, 2022 at the Ohio Statehouse! Read the Blog >> Gov. DeWine announces $650 million for child care providers Pandemic isolation harmed kids' social skills. How one Cincinnati provider is helping Congress is increasing childcare funding by nearly $585 million—but it won’t fix the ‘sweeping, systemic problems’ Parents who quit their jobs because they can’t find adequate child care face a 7% wage penalty Want to increase your impact?  Share this message with family, friends, and colleagues now!